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Wednesday, 10 June 2015

'Behind The Text’ 13 'Well He Would Wouldn’t He?’

Behind The Text’ Part
13_’Well He Would Wouldn’t He?’

Naughty but Nice - or Nasty?

Hi,

‘Well He Would
Wouldn’t He? was published in 2010 and
is the ninth chronological novel in the 'Jonas Forbes Saga'. Its
background is what was styled ‘The
Scandal of the Century’ – though there are several other contenders for
that honour. In 1963 Stephen Ward’s amoral household of young girls and
middle-aged men became an object of public scrutiny, largely due to hysteria in
the press. John Profumo, UK Minister for War, was forced to resign when his
relationship with Christine Keeler became considered a possible security leak.

Jonas
Forbes is hired to protect both Stephen & Christine from an unknown
assassin who sends threats in Biblical language. He infiltrates undercover the
circle of Stephen Ward, acquiring suspicious looks from the men & interested
glances from the girls. He also acquires the unwelcome attentions of a West
Indian gang, making this tale one in which he’s pushed to the edge. Indeed his
surroundings change dramatically in the course of a chapter or so – from being
chained up in a London sewer to giving evidence in an Old Bailey trial to being
inducted into the creation of a zombie. Not quite the usual round for an ‘Enquiry
Agent’.

This
novel is largely peopled by real characters and firmly based on evidence from
the Profumo Affair. Only the world of the Simpson brothers is wholly fictional
with Anansi one of the nastiest characters I ever created. I draw some
conclusions which may be questioned – the roles of DCI Herbert & John Lewis
in the whole business, for example – but hope my plot lies on a credible branch line to the
real-life scandal surrounding Stephen Ward. Perhaps I’ve been hard on some members
of the Law ( as practised by Sir Archie Pellow Marshall etc.), Politics (e.g. George Wigg) and the Civil
Service (especially the fictional Sir Justin Hartington-Case). Perhaps I’ve
been too condescending to the demi-monde surrounding Ward where some of the
real-life characters acquired a fame/notoriety and some were to meet
questionable ends. The Establishment panicked and this novel explores a world
in which the innocent (even of the ‘murkier’ kind) are too often the victims while
other less noble souls take the glory. Finger-pointing and pleas of innocence
were still much in evidence – as well as some of my characters! - during the 50th
anniversary to rake over the 1963 scandal..

I should stress this novel includes a number of GOOD
characters – Zechariah Taylor, Julissa Brown, Ivy Jenkins, James Burge (real
person) etc. – but too often they become victims. Personally I’d add Stephen
Ward (and some of the likes of Ronna Ricardo) to that group but perhaps you’d
disagree. If you want to dip a toe into the seamier side of 1960’s ‘swinging
London’, including stuff bordering on the insane, you might enjoy this thriller.

Next time, a trip 'behind enemy lines' in the shadowy world of espionage.

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About Me

I've retired from a career mainly in teaching / training. My main subject was History, although I did teach English, Sociology, Psychology & EFL at various times.I've also worked as an analyst / programmer in Training computer software 20+ years ago. I'm married with one daughter & 2 grandsons. I live near Chichester, Sussex in England and my hobbies include Family History.

During the last 20 years much of my time has been spent on writing 'The Wanderer' trilogy' (4 Historical fiction novels in print) & the 'Jonas Forbes Saga', 16 thrillers set 1954-73. I've done extensive historical research all behind these books. You can find out more about them at www.cuthan.blogspot.com.